Scotrun businessman starts networking group

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Less than two days after a tornado ripped through Stroud and Hamilton townships, damaging much of the grounds and one of the buildings at Stroudsmoor Country Inn, the Entrepreneur Referral Group LLC held its Friday morning networking meeting in the Stone Room of Stroudsmoor's main building, which was spared of any damage.

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By WAYNE WITKOWSKI

poconorecord.com

By WAYNE WITKOWSKI

Posted Aug. 9, 2009 at 12:01 AM

By WAYNE WITKOWSKI

Posted Aug. 9, 2009 at 12:01 AM

» Social News

Less than two days after a tornado ripped through Stroud and Hamilton townships, damaging much of the grounds and one of the buildings at Stroudsmoor Country Inn, the Entrepreneur Referral Group LLC held its Friday morning networking meeting in the Stone Room of Stroudsmoor's main building, which was spared of any damage.

Nearly all of the 32 members showed up.

"I'm surprised, considering there was a sign up at the end of the road that reads 'Local traffic only,'" said Anthony Diaz of the Financial Planners Group of America that recently opened an office in Scotrun. Diaz launched the organization just a month ago with six members.

"It shows they the members) are driven," said George Estevez of Howell's Flowers and Gifts in East Stroudsburg, the vice president of the group.

Members exchange business cards, give referrals and testimonials and each says a few words about their companies in a well-structured format. One member is a guest speaker each week. Diaz also prodded members into one-on-ones for referrals during the meeting. Many spoke about getting more than one new customer from within the organization.

"Successful people do what successful people do; that's why we're here," said business consultant Alan Daniels of Fidan Solutions, the guest speaker who discussed what his office brings to light to businesses he serves, including real estate management, health care control and workers' compensation, where he said "70 percent of the companies make mistakes on what they choose."

Diaz got the idea while at a business seminar in Arizona five years ago and started a Business Network International chapter in the Poconos. But he said the national affiliation might not have a grasp of the needs of the region, so he started this group that has a representative number of female members and an array of businesses that include flooring, a cigar shop, commercial cleaning, car detailing, a travel agency, a mortgage company, real estate and an electrical contractor.

Diaz said there is only one entrepreneur from each type of business and said he would like to see added to the membership a gift shop, plumber, limousine company, a photographer, painter and a health and fitness club. Two businesses applied for membership at the July 31 meeting, and new members can attend the Friday meeting starting at 7:30 a.m. or call Estevez at 570) 424-6002. Members pay a $50 application fee and a $200 annual membership. Breakfast is $15.

"Referrals is what we're about," Diaz told the membership.

"This group is about local businesses," said interior decorator Carrie Wetherbee of Admired Designs in Marshalls Creek. Wetherbee also is a board member. "By getting together, it's the best advertising for ourselves and our community."

"This shows the strongest advertising is word of mouth," said Diaz.

Stroudsburg attorney Bill Reaser, one of the original members, also heard a favorable testimonial from a member after his practice handled a case by one of ERG's members.

"I've been involved with networking for quite a while, and this is very effective," Reaser said. "It's very cost effective. There's camaraderie and fun at the meetings in a relaxed atmosphere."

No one has left the organization since joining, said Diaz, and all but one talked about favorable signs in the economic downturn. Diaz said the group helps its members by giving them more business possibilities before they leave the room.